You won't believe which bargain store is outpricing Dollar Tree—and it's opening 30 new locations soon!
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If you thought the days of true bargains were behind us, think again!
There’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to stretching your dollar, and it’s not the one you might expect.
While Dollar Tree has long been the go-to for thrifty shoppers, another discount chain is making waves—and it’s about to get a whole lot bigger.
Five Below: The Underdog Outpricing Dollar Tree
That’s right, Five Below—the store where nearly everything is $5 or less—is on a mission to bring even more savings to communities across America.
And if you haven’t set foot in one lately, you might be surprised at just how much you can get for your money.
In fact, some shoppers are now saying Five Below is “cheaper than Dollar Tree,” especially as Dollar Tree’s prices have crept up in recent years.
A Rapid Expansion: 30 New Stores This Summer, 150 by 2025
Five Below isn’t just resting on its laurels. The company has already opened more than 200 new stores in 2024 alone, with at least 55 popping up in 20 states so far this year.
And the momentum isn’t slowing down: 30 more stores are set to open their doors this summer, according to Chief Operating Officer Ken Bull.
By the end of 2025, Five Below expects to have added a whopping 150 new locations, bringing its total store count tantalizingly close to 2,000.
While that’s still a far cry from Dollar Tree’s 8,700+ locations, Five Below’s rapid growth is nothing to sneeze at—especially when you consider the chain’s reputation for fun, trendy, and affordable finds.
What Makes Five Below So Popular?
Five Below’s secret sauce is its focus on “fun and extreme value,” as CEO Winnie Park put it during a recent earnings call.
The store is a treasure trove for everything from quirky home décor and tech gadgets to beauty products, toys, and even snacks—all at prices that rarely break the $5 mark.
And with a 6.2% increase in transactions this past quarter, it’s clear that shoppers are loving what they find.
But it’s not just about low prices. Five Below has also been proactive in responding to the changing economic landscape, especially when it comes to tariffs and global supply chain challenges.
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Staying Nimble
If you’ve been following the news, you know that tariffs—especially those between the U.S. and China—have been a hot topic.
At one point, tariffs on Chinese goods reached a staggering 145%, and even now, the average sits at about 51%. That’s enough to make any retailer break out in a cold sweat.
Five Below, however, has taken a nimble approach. The company announced it would reduce its merchandise sourced from China by about 10% for the rest of 2025, ensuring it can keep prices low and shelves stocked with trendy, affordable products.
In fact, when the threat of even higher tariffs loomed, Five Below paused all Chinese imports to maintain flexibility and keep costs in check.
What Does This Mean for Shoppers?
With tariffs affecting everything from avocados and coffee to cars, sneakers, and home goods, many Americans are bracing for price hikes at their favorite stores.
But Five Below’s commitment to “controlling the controllables” means they’re working hard to keep your shopping experience both fun and affordable.
Some customers have wondered what the future holds—will Five Below be able to keep its prices low without Chinese imports? Will the product selection change?
While it’s true that the chain is diversifying its sourcing, the company remains focused on finding “trend-right products at attractive prices.”
So, while you might see some new brands or items on the shelves, the spirit of Five Below isn’t going anywhere.
Source: Company Man / Youtube.
A Few Fun Finds and Store Updates
If you haven’t visited Five Below lately, you might be missing out on some serious deals.
For example, the store’s $5 shoes have been compared to Birkenstocks—at a fraction of the price.
And after some customer feedback, Five Below has also revamped its checkout experience to make shopping smoother and more enjoyable.
Have you shopped at Five Below recently? Do you think it’s really outpricing Dollar Tree? What are your favorite bargain finds? And how do you feel about the changes in the discount shopping world? Drop a comment below and join the conversation with your fellow GrayVine readers!
There’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to stretching your dollar, and it’s not the one you might expect.
While Dollar Tree has long been the go-to for thrifty shoppers, another discount chain is making waves—and it’s about to get a whole lot bigger.
Five Below: The Underdog Outpricing Dollar Tree
That’s right, Five Below—the store where nearly everything is $5 or less—is on a mission to bring even more savings to communities across America.
And if you haven’t set foot in one lately, you might be surprised at just how much you can get for your money.
In fact, some shoppers are now saying Five Below is “cheaper than Dollar Tree,” especially as Dollar Tree’s prices have crept up in recent years.
A Rapid Expansion: 30 New Stores This Summer, 150 by 2025
Five Below isn’t just resting on its laurels. The company has already opened more than 200 new stores in 2024 alone, with at least 55 popping up in 20 states so far this year.
Five Below, a popular US discount chain seen as sometimes “cheaper than Dollar Tree”, plans to open at least 30 new stores in the coming months and 150 more by the end of 2025, edging closer to 2,000 locations nationwide. Image source: Company Man / Youtube.
And the momentum isn’t slowing down: 30 more stores are set to open their doors this summer, according to Chief Operating Officer Ken Bull.
By the end of 2025, Five Below expects to have added a whopping 150 new locations, bringing its total store count tantalizingly close to 2,000.
While that’s still a far cry from Dollar Tree’s 8,700+ locations, Five Below’s rapid growth is nothing to sneeze at—especially when you consider the chain’s reputation for fun, trendy, and affordable finds.
What Makes Five Below So Popular?
Five Below’s secret sauce is its focus on “fun and extreme value,” as CEO Winnie Park put it during a recent earnings call.
The store is a treasure trove for everything from quirky home décor and tech gadgets to beauty products, toys, and even snacks—all at prices that rarely break the $5 mark.
And with a 6.2% increase in transactions this past quarter, it’s clear that shoppers are loving what they find.
But it’s not just about low prices. Five Below has also been proactive in responding to the changing economic landscape, especially when it comes to tariffs and global supply chain challenges.
Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Staying Nimble
If you’ve been following the news, you know that tariffs—especially those between the U.S. and China—have been a hot topic.
The company is reducing its product sourcing from China by about 10% through 2025, in response to ongoing global tariff changes and efforts to control price increases. Image source: Company Man / Youtube.
At one point, tariffs on Chinese goods reached a staggering 145%, and even now, the average sits at about 51%. That’s enough to make any retailer break out in a cold sweat.
Five Below, however, has taken a nimble approach. The company announced it would reduce its merchandise sourced from China by about 10% for the rest of 2025, ensuring it can keep prices low and shelves stocked with trendy, affordable products.
In fact, when the threat of even higher tariffs loomed, Five Below paused all Chinese imports to maintain flexibility and keep costs in check.
What Does This Mean for Shoppers?
With tariffs affecting everything from avocados and coffee to cars, sneakers, and home goods, many Americans are bracing for price hikes at their favorite stores.
But Five Below’s commitment to “controlling the controllables” means they’re working hard to keep your shopping experience both fun and affordable.
Some customers have wondered what the future holds—will Five Below be able to keep its prices low without Chinese imports? Will the product selection change?
While it’s true that the chain is diversifying its sourcing, the company remains focused on finding “trend-right products at attractive prices.”
So, while you might see some new brands or items on the shelves, the spirit of Five Below isn’t going anywhere.
Source: Company Man / Youtube.
A Few Fun Finds and Store Updates
If you haven’t visited Five Below lately, you might be missing out on some serious deals.
For example, the store’s $5 shoes have been compared to Birkenstocks—at a fraction of the price.
And after some customer feedback, Five Below has also revamped its checkout experience to make shopping smoother and more enjoyable.
Have you shopped at Five Below recently? Do you think it’s really outpricing Dollar Tree? What are your favorite bargain finds? And how do you feel about the changes in the discount shopping world? Drop a comment below and join the conversation with your fellow GrayVine readers!
